Gardening News

Pots and Containers

When planning my garden for spring, I always make it a point to go over the top with patio plantings. Whatever the weather, this is the area that I see most, from inside the house and venturing into the garden.

Choosing your pots and containers

Firstly, consider the pots and containers you already have and decide on bulbs that will complement their size, shape and colouring. If you need new ones, keep the bulbs you will be planting in mind as you choose. Ventilation is very important. Earthenware pots are ideal, as they allow air to reach the roots and moisture to evaporate slowly. They do need more attention to watering than plastic pots, and containers tend to dry from the outside, so watch this when watering. If you use plastic containers, make sure there are plenty of drainage holes.

Use fresh compost. It should be moisture retentive, free draining and friable. Most general-purpose composts will suffice, but the mix should include garden soil, leaf mould and a small amount of horticultural grit; this matters when planting your borders too. Keep the pots evenly moist without soaking them. Before filling your containers, make sure the compost is suitably damp, as it is very difficult to add sufficient moisture once planted. There should be enough for the compost to bind when tightly squeezed.

The Prince tulips

Choosing your bulbs is when you can get creative. Contrasting colours, or subtle shade combinations? Single colours can make a dramatic impact, especially the hotter colours, drawing the eye straight to wherever they are placed.

Among the most outstanding tulips for pots are the early singles and doubles. The Prince tulips planted at Pashley Manor, set in large terracotta pots, are truly show stopping, and by far the most popular choice among show visitors. They are equally effective in single colours or as a mixture. The early singles are among the first to flower, offering vibrant colour and the classical tulip shape, and their shorter stems make them ideal for pots and exposed spots in the garden.

Give them the right start

Whatever bulbs you are planting this autumn, do pay attention to their natural habitat. We know where they come from, but often spend too little time considering the climate they enjoy. Bulbs have evolved a storage system so they can remain dormant until conditions are right for them to restart their growth cycle, generally as temperatures begin to cool. In many cases bud production depends not only on the healthy growth of the plant in the previous season, but also on the temperature during its dormant period. Many bulbs native to the Mediterranean and Asia need minimum temperatures through the summer months, not a problem this year, to ripen sufficiently for the following year’s flowering.

Plenty to be getting ready for; I am heading out with a fork and hoe.

Enjoy your garden,
Paul Blom

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